Below is a list of the phpBB 2.0.x forums on this site with their respective descriptions. If you are using phpBB 3.0.x, then click here for the 3.0.x version of this article. As posting in the wrong forum will result in your topic not being seen by the people who can contribute to it best, please be sure to choose the forum that best fits your issue. If you decide to post in a different forum, please be sure to read the stickies and announcements that are present in that forum before posting.

Are you using a phpBB port?#
Please understand that this forum is strictly for phpBB 2.0.x related support questions. If you are using a phpBB port (PHP Nuke, phpBB Fully Modded, phpBB Plus, etc.), we will be unable to help you as such projects have modified the standard code. Please note that using fixes/updates/MODs found on this site on such installations will result in errors.

Do you have full access to the files/database?#
If you are using a limited access host that does not provide you with access to the server where the phpBB files are hosted, then you should seek assistance directly from them. Such hosts use a modified version of phpBB that we will be unable to assist with.

Did you install phpBB yourself?#
Boards installed using a wizard like Fantastico will not be supported here as such utilities often make changes to the standard phpBB files. If you start off with different core files, then the problems you encounter may not be related to phpBB. If someone else installed the board for you, be sure that you are fully familiar with the setup and what was altered. We cannot help if we do not know what was changed.

Where do I go for MOD support?#
If the MOD was downloaded from this site, there will be a topic dedicated to it in the [2.0.x] MODs in Development Forum or the [2.0.x] MOD Database Releases Forum. Please ask all questions relating to the MOD in this topic. MODs downloaded from other sites are not supported here. Many MOD authors setup their own sites and provide MOD support there. If all else fails, you can email the MOD author directly with your question.

What if I need help installing/configuring PHP, MySQL, Apache, etc.?#
There are many other boards that deal specifically with server configurations. Simple do a Google search for "MySQL help forum" to find 100s of boards that will be more than happy to assist you.

How do I report a security related issue?#
Vulnerabilities should be submitted here.

My board has been hacked, what do I do?#
Please do the following before making any modifications to your board (this includes changing passwords, editing files, running the admin toolkit, etc.):
1) Save a copy of the files (simply create a local copy of the files on the server).
2) Save a copy of the database.
3) Save the server access logs for the time of the hack (they may be available in the 'logs' directory on the server, in your host's control panel or only by request directly from your host).
4) File a report in the incident tracker. Attach the items from steps 1-3 when you file the report or upload them to a secure location for the incident investigation team to download. Please do not start a new topic on the board, the proper place for incidents reports is the tracker.

Most questions asked in this forum have been answered before. By searching, you will save yourself the time that would otherwise be spent waiting for a response. Before starting a new topic, please make sure that you have done a search as well as looked through the following sections of the site:

Help, I'm being spammed!#
There is an extensive guide on spam prevention here: http://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=427852
Please read the guide in its entirety and ask any followup questions directly in that topic. Please do not start more topics on this issue.

Please remember that those who help you, do so on a voluntary basis. Note the following when asking a question:

Just like in real life, you are much more likely to receive assistance if you are courteous and respectful. Users who demand help or attack others are often ignored by the community. Users who make a habit of being disrespectful will be warned under rule 1b. #

Please do not use generic topic titles like "I need help" or "Getting an error". Remember, a descriptive title will attract much more attention than a generic one. #

As per rule 1g, please do not post your message in ALL CAPS, bold, large, or bright text or use excessive punctuation. This goes for the title as well. #

As per rule 4h, please do not bump your topic until at least 6 hours have passed since the last response. Since most of us answer questions in the order they were posted, frequent bumping will only push you further away from help. #

When starting a new topic, be sure to fill out the Support Request Template. If you don't know the answer to something, leave it blank. Keep in mind, however, that more details will help us answer your question more accurately. #

IRC

If you prefer to ask for assistance via IRC, you may do so in the channel #phpbb on irc.freenode.net. Please be sure to read the IRC Rules. Note that certain questions (particularly those having to do with code changes) are difficult to ask/answer in a chat room. As a general rule, more complex questions are best asked in the support forum. #

Other

Please remember that PMing, IMing or emailing team members for support is against rule 4e. Support is only offered via the board and IRC. #

Sincerely,
The Support Team

Note: Please PM me if you have a suggestion or find an error in this notice.